The EDPA said the Israeli company will open its first U.S. manufacturing operation under the name of Arkal Automotive USA Inc. in a 32,000-square-foot facility now under construction in Auburn Technology Park West. The plant could eventually be expanded to 110,000 square feet.

"It is a good day for Auburn when a technology-driven company is planning to invest and hire people in our community," Mayor Bill Ham said in the EDPA statement.

Arkal already has a Canadian facility that primarily serves the automotive cluster in Michigan and Ontario. The Auburn facility will focus on supplying car manufacturers in and around Alabama, the EDPA said.